2008
ALABAMA WAGON TRAIN'S
28th Anniversary

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History

     Had they decided to drive to the Southeastern Livestock Exposition and Rodeo back in 1980, there might not have been an Alabama Wagon Train. But Junior Arledge, Gene Erwin, and Donald Thomas had an idea. What if they rode on horseback, and invited others to join them? That idea caught on, and was known as the Sand Mountain to Montgomery Ride, later to become the Alabama Wagon Train.

     That first year, about 150 hardy souls in wagons and on horseback set out from Etowah County to Montgomery. These folks loved their riding and they showed it. It was a five day trek, averaging about 43 miles a day! !! OUCH!! But with the help of area horse lovers, it was a success. The Train was later to become a 6 day trip. It has been as long as 10 days, and for 2008 it is a 10 day 190 mile adventure again.

     Steady growth marked the next few years of the AWT. In 1981 the Sand Mountain Saddle Club joined in the work... The Rainbow Saddle Club was an important part of the AWT from 1982 -2003. These two clubs provided the manpower to make it what it is today. Another important event marked 1982. That was the year Art Howell became a corporate official, handling the publicity for the AWT. Art served through 1990 and really put us on the map. In 1984 The Alabama Wagon Train went NATIONAL, inviting riders from all over the country to join us.  In the year 2000 Alabama Wagon Train went online with it's first website.  Now in 2008 we have a very modern and updated website which now averages approximately 1000 visits per month.  With this new media we are able to reach people all over the nation.  With the help of 11 officials, many, many scouts and a host of dedicated workers, this ride is what it is today.  Many newcomers tell us AWT is "The most organized and best scouted Train in America". Come see for yourself.....

"THE RIDE THAT WARMS YOUR HEART AND TEST YOUR BRITCHES"